A Marion man involved in a June 2015 hit-and-run was found guilty of felony charges Friday, May 27.

A jury found Timothy J. Shoemake, 34, guilty of felony leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death in connection with the June 27, 2015, hit –and-run accident that left Michael D. Leazenby dead.

Leazenby’s body was found at approximately 7 a.m. June 27 in a grassy area near AutoZone, according to the official police report.

Amanda Brinkman interviews Kent Henderson and Kris White during a filming segment on the third floor of Schlemmer Brothers. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Joseph Slacian

Amanda Brinkman saw a glimpse of what makes Wabash special a few weeks ago.

She learned firsthand last week, spending two days in the city filming interviews with local business owners as part of a web-based series to be released later this year.

“I think it’s the people,” Brinkman, Deluxe Corporations Chief Marketing Officer, said when asked what made Wabash special. “Everyone is just so kind and authentic. I feel like it’s a town out of a movie or something.

Steel beams are unloaded at the site of the Troxel Equipment expansion on Thursday. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Sarah Peters

Troxel Equipment broke the ground on its expansion project at 834 N. State Road 13, on Thursday, May 26.

Dozens of people, including Chamber of Commerce members, Mayor Scott Long, Keith Gillenwater, EDG of Wabash County President and CEO and Troxel owners and workers, among others, gathered to dig their shovels into the dirt where Troxel’s equipment and new buildings will soon be located.

“I’m hoping that we can get moved in (by the) January to February timeframe, and be ready to go next spring,” said Troxel co-owner Dave Troxel. “That’s our hope.”

The City of Wabash received a Google Trekker device on loan through the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA).

The equipment, worth an estimated $50,000, photographs specific areas which will eventually be uploaded to Google Maps. Wabash Park Superintendent Adam Hall applied for the opportunity through the IPRA this past February.

A former mayoral candidate urged the Wabash City Council to consider hiring an individual to patrol neighborhoods to be on the lookout for various ordinance violations.

Marcia Short, the 2011 Democrat mayoral candidate, appeared before the Council to complain about the condition of a home in her neighborhood.

“It’s a dump,” she said. “It brings my property value down, and I’m not the only one to talk about this. I think it’s great you do stuff for the downtown, but also know that we’re taxpayers, the rest of us. I don’t want to see the neighborhoods going down.”

The homeowner doesn’t live in the structure, but uses it for storage, she said.

“And there’s a lot of houses around Wabash like this,” Short continued. “That’s another thing about the downtown. I’m very much for downtown, but I think you need to listen to the whole town. It shouldn’t just be the shop owners. We all pay our taxes and you need to listen to us, too.”

Vernon and Rita Mollette (from left) accept a plaque thanking them for 16 years of foster parenting from (far right) Kurt Gard, White’s Residential and Family Services regional manager. The Mollettes retired as foster parents after caring for more than 40 children. Photo by Emma Rausch

By Emma Rausch

Vernon and Rita Mollette are retiring as foster parents after 16 years of service at White’s Family and Residential Services.

“In that 16 years, their family has opened their home to more than 40 children I am told,” Kurt Gard, White’s regional manager, said in a speech recognizing the couple’s accomplishments. “They have cared for these children in a down to Earth, Christ-centered, loving manner.

“Rita is often quoted … saying, ‘If I have them for one day, I will love them for one day. If I have them for longer, I will love them longer.’ I don’t want anyone to get confused. It has not been easy, but what worthwhile (purpose) is?”

White’s officials honored the couple, who have been married for 52 years, on Tuesday, May 17, with a farewell party at the Hodson Campus Center.